Building a new table

Duanwest

So I am busy building a table using the official BGE XL plans. So far its going fine, I am almost done with screwing down the slats on top, and will then cut the round whole out.

I had a question on the 12 1/2 inch gap from the top of the table to the shelf below. It seems a little small. A lot of the photos I see only shows the top of the dome sticking out, essentially just the handle and the rest of the lid. With this 12 1/2 inch gap there would be quite a bit of the Egg sticking out the top.

Does anyone have any tips? Should I make the gap bigger so more of the egg is concealed below the top of the table?

Also, I have a granite tile. Its pretty thin, standard tile thickness. Will that be enough of a heat shield below the egg?

D

minniemoh

I would also recommend a BGE Table Nest to put under it. There have been a few tables that have burned with the egg sitting right on a concrete paver. The table nest provides an air gap keeping the heat from getting to the wood. I'm not sure what to tell you about the size of the hole - my advice would be to make sure you have an inch or two of air around the egg. I need to re-do my tabletop so I have more space to keep the wood cooler.  

The picture is of a med and large in a table that was built for 2 L BGEs. I like the bigger air gap around the med and will be making that change this summer in an effort to reduce heat risk.

KennyLee

I would go with something at least 2" thick under your Egg or adding pavers/feet/table nest over your tile.  That seems too thin to me.

As far as your depth, from what I know, you can do the 12.5" gap plus whatever you have under your Egg to give yourself more depth/space (so 14.5" with a 2" paver), but the requirement is more for clearance for what the hinge requires to be able to open fully. 

Spaightlabs

Do the table nest.  1st hand experience...I had a 1 inch air gap over a 2 inch concrete paver and it didn't end well.

Duanwest

If I buy the table nest, do I still need a paver or something underneath it or can it go directly onto the wood?

Thanks for the help so far

NPHuskerFL

@Duanwest‌ You could do a small mod like this to the table nest. Which then eliminates the need for the stone below it.

nolaegghead

^^^ the eagle has landed!!!  

Cool man, I'd expect nothing less from you.

bigguy136

I took two of the 12" x 12" tile, put silicone in between with a 1/4" gap. I figured the heat wouldn't go from 1 tile to the other with the gap. After my first summer, I took it apart and the wood under the tile was charred black.